GECRB Underwiting Calls Are My New Thing

[Mr. Media]

My new theory with GECRB is to call and talk with underwriting.

 

So far, doing this, I've managed to get more than one increase in a short period of time (both Lowe's and Sam's Club) and have been able to ask for larger limits than I think the automated 4-month game would have allowed.

 

Just to test further, I called on the Sam's Club card today. It was increased to a $6100 limit just 10-14 days ago. Today, I called and asked for $10k... and approved!

 

This has worked on Lowe's, Sam's, Gap Visa, Amazon so far.

 

Chevron card has always done micro CLI's with the automated system compared to some of these others, so I think I might make that my next test case.

 

But the point is that these calls have seemingly fast-tracked my limits vs. the four month game. YMMV, but if you don't mind schmoozing with a rep. on the phone, you might get much better results. Make sure you ask for underwriting.

[gabbyraja]

You just "press 0 for an operator" and then ask for an underwriter? And what do you say to make them look at an increase for you? Just, "I was hoping you could see your way clear to increase my credit limit today"?

[gabbyraja]

Oh, and do they ask you the same questions, like what do you want the increase for and what do you want it to be, etc?

[iWhat]

hard pull on credit care and lowes.

[Mr. Media]

You just "press 0 for an operator" and then ask for an underwriter? And what do you say to make them look at an increase for you? Just, "I was hoping you could see your way clear to increase my credit limit today"?

 

They do ask the same questions as the automated system, and sometimes ask an added "why." In all cases, I've tailored the answer to the question. For Amazon I said I had my eye on a few thousand in electronics, but didnt want it to max out my current limit. For Lowe's, which they already know from current usage, I told them I'm still working on my new home. For Sam's they didn't ask, and for Gap Visa they didn't ask.

 

In no case did any of thee calls result in a hard pull.

[Mr. Media]

hard pull on credit care and lowes.

 

For Lowe's the did not hard me each time. So that may be YMMV. But I've heard over and over again that Care Credit is a hard everytime...

[EvilMan]

I just did the backdoor for my Paypal Smart connect account. She told me the max is $10k. I asked for $10k but she only brought me to $7.5 ($2500 increase).

 

I pulled my report and do not show a hard inq. However i know they can sometimes be delayed. I will of course check sat and sun and report if it shows up. I hope it was hard pull free but her system did bark at my TU freeze. So we shall see...

[Mr. Media]

I was just able to get them to bump Chevron from $1750 to $4k. This $1750 was just assigned two weeks ago, and they've never been so generous on the automated pulls... so I def. think this route is an improvement over the four month game.

[OCChineseguy]

Can I call them for a Recon? I applied for Discount Tire card and was denied - due to BK proceeding. It was discharged in April 10, I thought 24 months was enough time?

 

Thanks for your input.

 

OCCG

[Mr. Media]

Can I call them for a Recon? I applied for Discount Tire card and was denied - due to BK proceeding. It was discharged in April 10, I thought 24 months was enough time?

 

Thanks for your input.

 

OCCG

 

I know I've been able to recon a CLI request when it was denied automatically, so I suppose it is possible they can reverse a card denial as well. Just be sure you get their underwiting department. The front line reps. are all quite clueless on these matters, but if you can get an ear in UW, you may be able to get them to do a manual review, or at the very least tell you exactly what held you back (which frankly can differ somewhat from the reasons on their letter).

 

But I don't know this for certain... I'd say worth the call to try...

[Mr. Media]

...and just bumped Walmart to $7k. I think I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. Definitely proved this method, though.

[Mr. Media]

Okay fine, I did one more. Care Credit bumped from $5k to $10,900

[BDK]

...and just bumped Walmart to $7k. I think I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. Definitely proved this method, though.

 

Damn that's higher than my WM Discover. And my WM store is @ 4.5K after 2 1/2 years.

[dylan_goes_electric]

Do you recommend trying this with newer accounts or should I allow them to age a bit?

[jsampson25]

How do you get to the UW? I asked on Walmart Card and Amazon and both said that they dont speak to customers and there is no changing a decisioned cli result. Any words you can provide me with would help

 

Thanks!

[Mr. Media]

Do you recommend trying this with newer accounts or should I allow them to age a bit?

 

My Gap card is from March, so I don't think they have to be very seasoned in order to do this. I suspect a BRAND new card might not see the love, but after its a few months old, it appears to be okay.

[Mr. Media]

How do you get to the UW? I asked on Walmart Card and Amazon and both said that they dont speak to customers and there is no changing a decisioned cli result. Any words you can provide me with would help

 

Thanks!

 

This has gone one of two ways... the first way, I tell customer service from the jump that I want to talk with underwriting about my credit limit. They say "Oh, I can help you with that" and basically refuse to put me to underwriting until they make the attempt on their own first. In this case, just answer the questions as usual, and if/when you get a denial, THEN ask to speak with underwriting. I knew the rep's attempt via the system would fail because I just got my 4-month CLIs a few weeks ago. But then they would put me into underwriting and the questions start anew. Same questions, only the result EACH time was success. I always got what I asked for, except with Care Credit. I asked for $10k, and for some reason she gave me $10,900.

 

The second way is simply that the put you in touch with underwriting upon asking, and skip the futile CLI attempt first.

 

Chevron took a second phone call, as the Indian rep. I got said that they "don't have" an underwriting. I tried to argue my way through that, but the second call went through with no problem.

[jeff1964]

How do you get to the UW? I asked on Walmart Card and Amazon and both said that they dont speak to customers and there is no changing a decisioned cli result. Any words you can provide me with would help

 

Thanks!

 

This has gone one of two ways... the first way, I tell customer service from the jump that I want to talk with underwriting about my credit limit. They say "Oh, I can help you with that" and basically refuse to put me to underwriting until they make the attempt on their own first. In this case, just answer the questions as usual, and if/when you get a denial, THEN ask to speak with underwriting. I knew the rep's attempt via the system would fail because I just got my 4-month CLIs a few weeks ago. But then they would put me into underwriting and the questions start anew. Same questions, only the result EACH time was success. I always got what I asked for, except with Care Credit. I asked for $10k, and for some reason she gave me $10,900.

 

The second way is simply that the put you in touch with underwriting upon asking, and skip the futile CLI attempt first.

 

Chevron took a second phone call, as the Indian rep. I got said that they "don't have" an underwriting. I tried to argue my way through that, but the second call went through with no problem.

 

 

 

 

Hmmmmmmm...very interesting.....I'm coming up on my 4 month CLI on my Lowe's, Walmart and Old Navy cards anyway, I may just have to call a few weeks early and give this new info a shot!!!!!

 

Thanks MM for relaying this info and being your own guinea pig....

 

I'll post here my results.....

 

Quick question though, did you just call the number on the back of the card(s) OR the one from their website for each card???

 

 

Edited July 28, 2012 by jeff1964

[EvilMan]

I go here to get numbers. I know CB has a list but i do not think it is maintained like this one

 

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Backdoor-Numbers/td-p/408066

[jeff1964]

I go here to get numbers. I know CB has a list but i do not think it is maintained like this one

 

http://ficoforums.my...ers/td-p/408066

 

 

Thanks bud, I've used a few numbers off of that list....I wasn't sure if MM had a different method to contact each one of the TL's...they are still showing "GE Money Bank" in the list from MF so I'm not sure how updated it is....AND the post is from 2009..

 

Edited July 28, 2012 by jeff1964

[EvilMan]

It says "Last Update: 05/28/12"

 

I know, they just completed a name change. I forgot about the new name too.

[CreditDebitJustGetIt]

...and just bumped Walmart to $7k. I think I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. Definitely proved this method, though.

 

 

I love this 7k limit at Wal-Mart....you can buy a ****load of crap with that!!! I have a Paypal MC that has heavy use...thinking about calling!! Just dont want a hard pull!!

[gabbyraja]

This was a no-go for dh. He tried for 5000 on Walmart, and when told no he asked if they could give him any increase at all. They told him that they could not raise him ANY higher, based on info found on his credit file.

[patz2009]

Hmmm, seeing this thread makes me think I should request an increase on my Wal-Mart card. Granted, I put little use on it and essentially only have it for the free TU FICO, but it's also my 2nd lowest CL and would love to see it come out to play with some of my other larger CLs.

[TeachMeMaster]

Didnt work for me. I tried Walmart, Chevron, JCPenney, & Lowes. Didnt try Amazon. JCPenney phone system turned down my $3,000 requested limit and countered with $1400. I accepted since this is my first increase with the card. I have not received not one CLI on any GE cards and I have 0 balances on all cards.

 

Walmart rep said he could only transfer me to underwriting if im asking for a $25,000 CL. haha I said $10,000 and he said let me transfer you to an underwriter. Duh that's what I've been asking for. He didnt seem happy about my underwriting assistance.

Edited July 28, 2012 by TeachMeMaster